An ulcer is a discontinuity or break in a bodily membrane that impedes normal function of the affected
organ. According to Robbins's pathology, "ulcer is the breach of the continuity of
skin
Skin is the layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body of a vertebrate animal, with three main functions: protection, regulation, and sensation.
Other animal coverings, such as the arthropod exoskeleton, have different ...
,
epithelium or
mucous membrane caused by sloughing out of inflamed
necrotic tissue." Common forms of ulcers recognized in medicine include:
*
Ulcer (dermatology)
An ulcer is a sore on the skin or a mucous membrane, accompanied by the disintegration of tissue. Ulcers can result in complete loss of the Epidermis (skin), epidermis and often portions of the dermis and even subcutaneous fat. Ulcers are most co ...
, a discontinuity of the skin or a break in the skin.
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Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores
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Genital ulcer, an ulcer located on the genital area
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Ulcerative dermatitis, a skin disorder associated with bacterial growth often initiated by self-trauma
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Anal fissure, an ulcer or tear near the anus or within the rectum
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Diabetic foot ulcer, a major complication of the diabetic foot
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Callous ulcer, a chronic nonhealing ulcer with hard indurated base and inelastic margins
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Corneal ulcer, an inflammatory or infective condition of the cornea
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Mouth ulcer, an open sore inside the mouth.
**
Aphthous ulcer
Aphthous stomatitis, or recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), commonly referred to as a canker sore or salt blister, is a common condition characterized by the repeated formation of benignity, benign and non-contagious disease, contagious mouth ...
, a specific type of oral ulcer also known as a canker sore
*
Peptic ulcer
Peptic ulcer disease is when the inner part of the stomach's gastric mucosa (lining of the stomach), the first part of the small intestine, or sometimes the lower esophagus, gets damaged. An ulcer in the stomach is called a gastric ulcer, while ...
, a discontinuity of the gastrointestinal mucosa (stomach ulcer)
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Venous ulcer, a wound thought to occur due to improper functioning of valves in the veins
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Stress ulcer, an ulcer located within the stomach and proximal duodenum
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Ulcerative sarcoidosis, a cutaneous condition affecting people with sarcoidosis
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Ulcerative lichen planus, a rare variant of lichen planus
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Ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
* Ulcerative disposition, a disorder or discomfort that causes severe abdominal distress, often associated with chronic
gastritis
References
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Surgery